Google, PacificLight Energy (PLE), and Rexus Bioenergy (RExus) have announced a 10-year partnership in which PacificLight will procure renewable energy from RExus’s Waste Wood-to-Energy (WWtE) Plant and supply it to Google. The energy produced by this new WWtE plant will be certified under the International Renewable Energy Certificate (I-REC) standard.
This clean energy will power Google’s data centres and operations in Singapore, helping the company achieve its goal of operating on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030.
Developed and financed by Sobono Bioenergy and V8 Environmental, RExus’s 13.2MW WWtE plant will be the first of its kind, featuring advanced circular technology and best-in-class systems. It is expected to be 10% more efficient than conventional Waste-to-Energy plants in Singapore. The plant is designed to optimise the conversion of waste wood, including horticultural and logistics waste, into energy. Co-located with the WWtE Plant is the most advanced electrical wood processing system and a high-volumetric vertical silo where biomass is stored and handled by a Smart 3D visualization handling system.
The plant is slated to commence commercial operations in 2026 and will operate 24/7. Additionally, it will incorporate a pilot-scale carbon capture system to channel captured CO2 into innovative downstream uses. PacificLight Power, the parent company of PLE, has invested a 30% stake in Sobono Bioenergy to support the development of the WWtE plant.
“This biomass power plant will provide firm, clean, dispatchable power, supporting our goal to source 24/7 carbon-free energy in every grid where we operate,” said Giorgio Fortunato, Head of Clean Energy & Power for Asia Pacific, Google.
“We are delighted to further strengthen our established relationship with Google by entering into a 10-year renewable energy supply contract to support Google’s operations in Singapore. Our investment in Sobono Bioenergy is driven by our commitment to support renewable energy initiatives and become a low-carbon energy company,” said Yu Tat Ming, CEO of PacificLight.
He added, “Integrating sustainable biomass into the Singapore energy mix will provide a reliable and sustainable energy solution to Google and will also set a new standard for the Singapore industry.”
“RExus or Renewable Energy (RE) Nexus will be a frontrunner for Sobono Group in its pursuit of bioresource valorisation. This first-of-its-kind WWtE Plant pushes the boundary of process innovation and circularity concepts building upon our past endeavors,” said Oh Wee Khoon, Chairman, RExus.